Gen. Buyukanit declines to comment on Ergenekon probe

The Second Conference of Balkan Countries' Chiefs of Staff began yesterday in Belek, Antalya. Addressing the opening of the three-day gathering, Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Buyukanit said that states and international organizations should try to protect their societies from terrorism, energy and food shortages, and the effects of global warming, which he said pose a bigger danger to peoples' lives than conventional threats. He also called on Balkan countries to cooperate to ensure regional peace. At a press conference following the meeting, Buyukanit declined to take reporters' questions about recent developments in the Ergenekon criminal probe. The top general said he understood the media's need to ask about domestic developments, but added that he wouldn't address topics outside those related to the gathering.